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Politics, Kashmir and security

India breathed a sigh of relief when governor’s rule was announced in Jammu and Kashmir. It had been clear for some time that Mehbooba Mufti the CM had lost the plot. Law and order was deteriorating. Stone pelting mobs were killing tourists and even trying to hurt young children in school buses. Militancy was rife. Hordes would attend the funerals of both the killers and the killed. This is something I have never been able to understand.

Police pickets and convoys were regularly attacked especially on Fridays after the Mosque prayer service. It was as if not prayers but toxic speeches must have riled up the men who needed to taste blood after it. The police were not able to do their job and even share vital intelligence regarding terrorists with the Central government and the army. It seemed that Mehbooba was living in an ivory tower away from the madness and mayhem. To top it all she wanted a ceasefire in the valley to continue, amnesty for all stone pelters and talks with Pakistan. This when it is known that Pakistan has 55 terror training and launching centres on our border!

Not to be outdone Congress leaders started putting their two bits each on the situation even though the rot started with them and continued for decades under their watch.

For instance, why would Ghulam Nabi Azad say that security forces are killing more civilians than terrorists? Does he not know what is going on in the Kashmir valley? Coming on the heels of the brutal murder of Rifleman Aurangzeb and jawan Habibullah, why would he point fingers at the Army? Is it to do Pakistan’s bidding? He knows perfectly well that civilians are being killed by terrorists every single day in the valley as are army men and the police. Shujaat Bhukari, a journalist, was gunned down in broad daylight by Pakistani terrorists aided by local militants.

In militant encounters, security forces have to face not only the militants with their machine guns but also stone pelters who are trying to protect them and help them escape. Are such people also considered innocent civilians? Not in the US, UK or any other country in the world. Anyone shielding a terrorist and deliberately coming in the line of fire is a terrorist. Let us be clear on this. Even under such circumstances, the greatest restraint is showed by the security forces. One only has to see the vicious attacks made on them by hordes of rock and brick pelters on the news to realize how frightening their job is. Their answer to the mobs attacking them is to try to escape even though it would be the easiest thing in the world to shoot some.

But Ghulam Nabi Azad by his vile insinuations is not only trying to hit at the morale of security forces who are putting their lives on the line every day but also appeasing Pakistan.

The Lakshar e Taiba that has the blood of innocent Indians on their hands certainly approves of Ghulam Nabi Azad’s statement and has congratulated him. I am sure he is really pleased with himself. Perhaps he should go and meet with the mourning families of Aurangzeb and Habibullah and tell them their sons were killers.

Just today four terrorists have been neutralized and it is confirmed that two of them were with the ISIS. This does not surprise me. We have known for some time that the new radical thought in the hotbeds of the valley is not for independence from India but an Islamic Caliphate. This is what Zakir Musa who was linked to the Al Qaida used as his propaganda and young men in Kashmir are being recruited by the hundreds.

The Centre needs to take note of this dangerous trend as it is easy to radicalize young men especially when preachers are instigating them. We need to remove all elements who want Kashmir to burn, including the Hurriyat leaders and hate preachers, from the valley. Lock them up in some distance place for peace to prevail. It is time we faced up to the problem of radicalization and not just think of all radicalized young men as misguided youth. We also need to act firm on cutting off the money supply that pays stone pelters Rs 500 a day. Easy steps to take when we already have volumes of information on the funding and the funders.

DISCLAIMER : Views expressed above are the author's own.

Blog

The blog will cover current issues ranging from politics to pollution — getting readers to question why India is behind in many aspects. Why do countries like China, Thailand, and Malaysia get more tourism, business and investments? Why do Indians blame history, geography or politicians for all our problems? How can Indians be more responsible? India is one of the most undisciplined countries, but when Indians go abroad they are among the most law abiding people. No Free Lunch will try to provoke readers to debate on how Indians can contribute toward building a better country.

Author

Freelance journalist Ashali Varma has authored the biography of her father late Lt. Gen. PS Bhagat — ‘The Victoria Cross: A Love Story’. She was executive producer with the International Commentary Service Inc, New York in 1990. She was the executive publisher of The Earth Times, New York (1992- 98). She has also worked as the editor of Choices Magazine, United Nations Development Programme. She writes on various issues including human rights, population and sustainable development.

Freelance journalist Ashali Varma has authored the biography of her father late Lt. Gen. PS Bhagat — ‘The Victoria Cross: A Love Story’. She was execu. . .

Blog

The blog will cover current issues ranging from politics to pollution — getting readers to question why India is behind in many aspects. Why do countries like China, Thailand, and Malaysia get more tourism, business and investments? Why do Indians blame history, geography or politicians for all our problems? How can Indians be more responsible? India is one of the most undisciplined countries, but when Indians go abroad they are among the most law abiding people. No Free Lunch will try to provoke readers to debate on how Indians can contribute toward building a better country.

Author

Freelance journalist Ashali Varma has authored the biography of her father late Lt. Gen. PS Bhagat — ‘The Victoria Cross: A Love Story’. She was executive producer with the International Commentary Service Inc, New York in 1990. She was the executive publisher of The Earth Times, New York (1992- 98). She has also worked as the editor of Choices Magazine, United Nations Development Programme. She writes on various issues including human rights, population and sustainable development.

Freelance journalist Ashali Varma has authored the biography of her father late Lt. Gen. PS Bhagat — ‘The Victoria Cross: A Love Story’. She was execu. . .